F-16 Shoots Down Greece’s $6B Eurofighter Typhoon Order

After scrapping a EUR 4.9 billion deal with EADS for 60 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, Greece’s center-right government announced that it has decided to buy 30 Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D jets from the U.S. instead, with an option for 10 more. The order for the aircraft and accompanying equipment and weapons would cost up to $3.1 billion if all options are exercised, and is designed to address the nation’s air defense needs over the next 15 years. The jets would join 50 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft already in service with the Hellenic Air Force (EPA, or Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia in Greek) under a 2000 contract. The new contract’s exact figures will depend on negotiations, and will include industrial offset benefits and support for the rest of the F-16s Block 52s and earlier models belonging to the EPA.

“Our next order for fourth-generation jets will be reviewed by another military council meeting. It does not exclude any company from Europe or the U.S.,” said defense ministry spokesman Stefanos Gikas.

The modern fighter backbone of the Hellenic Air Force’s order of battle is currently made up of earlier generation F-16 Block 30 fighters, Mirage 2000s, and some F-16 Block 50/52 aircraft. RF-5A fighters are still operational in a reconnaissance role along with the larger RF-4E Phantom IIs, some multi-role F-4E Phantoms are still kept in service via upgrades, and A-7H Corsairs are still kept as attack aircraft and lead-in fighter trainers. As the tranches of newer aircraft enter service, some of the older types are likely to be retired.

July 25/06: The speculation was wrong. The Greek Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) has approved a EUR 11.39 billion procurement program for 2006-2010… and new fighters aren’t on the list at all. The next tranche has been put off until 2011-2015, and

DID’s coverage suggests that it may be delayed beyond even that period. Will Turkey’s commitment to buy 100 F-35As change that equation? Maybe.

Oct 25/05: The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notifies Congress [PDF format] of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Greece of 40 F-16C/D Block 50/52+ aircraft, as well as associated electronics, spares, services, and weapons. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $3.1 billion and include up to:

40 F-16C/D Block 50/52+ aircraft with F100-PW-229 engines and APG-68(V)9 radars (the deal is structured as 30 aircraft, with an option for 10 more);